2024 season: Eliminated on Sept. 20, 3rd in NL Central

Let’s take a look at the season that was for the 2024 St. Louis Cardinals, the questions the team must address this winter and the early outlook for 2025.

The 2024 Cardinals were average in run prevention and below average in run production, and few of their players stood out. But there were still a few bright spots.

Ryan Helsley battled Emmanuel Clase all season for the major-league lead in saves. Helsley has been a terrific reliever for three straight years, and the key to his 2024 success was moving past a 2023 forearm strain while maintaining the velocity on his fastball and slider.

Sonny Gray was another bright spot, as he gave the team the workhorse it sought when signing him to a three-year, $75 million contract last offseason. He didn’t rank among baseball’s ERA leaders but led the Cards in many key pitching statistics.

On the offensive side, Willson Conteras and Alec Burleson were key contributors. Contreras dealt with two stints on the injured list but logged an OPS over .800. And Burleson took a significant step forward in his third season, showing an improved ability to hit for average and power while becoming the team’s regular No. 2 hitter.